While that might be fun, and possibly educational, being able to
switch between linear and a log response isn't all that practical.
While most audio level controls have a log response, it isn't
necessary. I've mixed and attenuated audio signals with my Oakley
Multimix, CGS Tube VCA, and other gizmos with linear knobs without
any problems.
However, what might be more fun for Will is seeing how many synth
functions he can accomplish without using any power. All sorts of
waveshapers, filters, rectifiers, pulse stretchers, logic functions,
etc., even an approximation of an attenuator that switches between
linear/log, can be built using only passive components, if one were
so inclined.
On 1/30/09, wjhall11 put forth:
>Will just pointed out that if we use 100K lin pots for such a gadget,
>we could have a switch to send the signal through a couple op-amps
>with resistors to make the pot act like a log pot... so we could
>switch each pot between lin (truly passive) and log (via op amps and
>resistors set to unity gain). He's thinking Tellun MUUB4. Kind of a
>cool idea. I'll ask him to explore the little circuit design. So
>this would be an added benefit of building it into a 1U panel... that
>it could have this active component just for fun. Bill and Will